How far can Mike White take the New York Jets?

Mike White (Twitter)

The New York Jets have made an interesting decison regarding their quarterback situation as we are headed into the final month of the regular season. A week ago, Jets head coach Robert Saleh decided to bench Zach Wilson of Draper, Utah for Mike White of Pembroke Pines, Florida. At the time of the benching, the Jets were at six wins and four losses, and in contention for a playoff spot in the American Football Conference.

The benching happened after Wilson struggled significantly against the New England Patriots. Wilson completed only nine of 22 passes for 77 yards, and had three rushes for 26 yards in a 10-3 Jets loss to the New England Patriots on November 20.

However, instead of starting former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco of Audubon, New Jersey, Saleh elected to go with White instead. White is a full decade younger than Flacco, and only has played four National Football League games prior to this season. White’s overall skillset was on display on Sunday, as he completed 22 of 28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets defeated the Chicago Bears 31-10.

This is not the first time that NFL head coaches have made a quarterback switch during the season. In 2020, the Miami Dolphins decided to make the change from Ryan Fitzpatick to rookie Tua Tagovailoa, even though the Dolphins blanked the Jets 24-0 the week before. 

Sometimes changes have worked. Other times not. In 1999, the Buffalo Bills benched Doug Flutie for Rob Johnson, and Buffalo lost the Music City Miracle to the Tennessee Titans. In 2002, the New England Patriots chose Tom Brady over Drew Bledsoe and the Patriots beat the Rams 20-17 in the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, the 7-4 Jets will play the NFC North Division leading Minnesota Vikings (9-2). Is this White’s time or will the Jets go back to Wilson just because he was the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft? Is there a possibility that the Jets could still go with the experienced Joe Flacco down the stretch? It appears for now White is in control, but for long is anyone’s guess. Do not be surprised if Saleh makes a change as soon as White starts to struggle as he is not the quarterback the Jets have invested in the most.  Don’t forget about the amount of time White has been on the Jets’ practice squad since 2019 after being the Dallas Cowboys’s backup to Dak Prescott. If you were the head coach of the Jets what quarterback would you use and why?

Tell us in the comments below.